My initial research idea is slightly different from my current research idea. I first wanted to research cyberwarfare, automation, or how people will prevent hackers from utilizing advanced technology to breach a network. I changed my focus because of my employer post. An interesting fact was that CTG Tech, one of my employers, mentioned over 50% of cyber attacks on their website targeted small to medium-sized businesses (CTG Tech, 2021). Researching why these companies are susceptible to cyber-attacks has drawn my attention as I read more information. Now my main research topic is why local companies are vulnerable to cyber-attacks? If this main question does not pan out, my backup question would be: What do hackers gain from breaching networks? This question would investigate how hackers breach a network, what they do with valuable information, and how some of them do not get traced. I think the second question would provide a perspective through the lens of a hacker and what they see in a network that makes it breachable. 

The primary databases I will use to investigate the questions I impose in the Forsyth Library are Computer Source, Computer Science Collection, and Information Science Collection. 

The Computer Source database description states that the journal articles are relevant to updated information about high technology trends. I would assume that I could find reports about cyberattacks because it is a popular trend in technology. Another topic that may produce more articles about cyberattacks is Russia creating a cyberwar against the United States for imposing sanctions on their banks. This event could make people develop more reports on how businesses should protect their systems and the measures they need to ensure protection.

The Computer Science Collection database entails information about software and electronics that could contribute to my research. I could search for the types of software that small to medium-sized businesses use to protect their network. I also could search for articles reporting hacked companies and find out the common problem they have for breaches. If I use my second question for my research, I may be able to find information on the type of software people use to breach companies’ networks to gain a hacker’s perspective.

Finally, the Information Science Collection database would be valuable because the description mentions that there are articles on data processing techniques and information infrastructure. Since I have a basic knowledge of networking models, I can review articles related to businesses’ processing measures to protect their systems. This database could also have reports of an employee in a company who was not aware of cyberattacks and was taken advantage of by imposing as a threat actor. As I have mentioned in my article review post, it takes one person to compromise a company’s system by not being aware of cyberattacks. 

References:

CTG Tech. (2021, September 23). Network & Cyber Security Services | Threat Detection |                           Email Encryption. CTG Tech | Managed IT Services Provider DFW & Amarillo TX.                           https://www.ctgmanagedit.com/services/network-security-services/